I realised recently that I’d become terribly sensible about clothes

I’m not quite sure when it happened. But somewhere over the last few years, every time I bought something new, I started asking myself the same questions.

Will it go with everything? Is the colour practical? Will I still wear it next year?

All perfectly sensible questions. The trouble was, I’d stopped asking the one that used to matter first: do I actually love it?

I’m 52, and when I looked properly at my wardrobe recently, I could see the result. Plenty of perfectly nice clothes. Plenty of navy, cream, grey and black. Nothing wrong with any of it.

It just all felt terribly safe.

Looking at my wardrobe, I realised almost everything had been chosen because it was “sensible”.

Then I saw something I wouldn't normally choose

The Anouk Vintage Knit Cardigan from Merritt London caught my attention because it was almost the opposite of what I’d trained myself to buy.

The golden colour. The vintage-inspired pattern. The fact that it actually had some personality.

My sensible side immediately started negotiating with me. Would I wear it enough? What would I put underneath it? Was it a bit more noticeable than I was used to?

Then I realised I was doing it again.

I liked it. That should have been reason enough to at least try it.

So I ordered one.

And when it arrived, I did what I always do with something slightly outside my comfort zone: put it on with the simplest clothes I own.

Plain top. Jeans. Anouk over the top.

That was it.

Rather than feeling too much, it made everything underneath it make more sense. I didn't need an interesting blouse, jewellery or much thought about what went together. The cardigan was already doing enough.

“The Anouk still turned out to be practical. I just chose it because it made me smile first.”

Strangely, the less sensible choice became one of the easiest to wear

That was the part I hadn't expected.

The Anouk has a relaxed, open-front shape, so I can simply put it over the tops and trousers I already own. The textured knit gives me the extra layer I want now the September mornings are getting cooler, without having to dress as though winter has already arrived.

I've worn it with jeans for errands, over a plain top for coffee and with smarter trousers when I wanted to look a little more put together. Because the cardigan has enough character of its own, I actually think less about the rest of the outfit.

I don't think I'm suddenly going to stop buying practical clothes

And I don't want to.

I still want things that are comfortable, easy to wear and useful in real life.

I just don't think those need to be the only reasons I buy something.

The Anouk reminded me that sometimes it's quite nice to see something, immediately like it and allow that to count for something too.

Especially when it turns out to be as easy to wear as everything else in your wardrobe anyway.

Jeans, a simple top and the cardigan I nearly talked myself out of buying.

Perhaps being sensible can wait occasionally

The Anouk is currently £39.95 instead of £90, so I'm rather pleased I listened to myself while it was reduced.

I've got plenty of sensible clothes already.

This autumn, I'm quite happy to have one thing in the wardrobe that I bought simply because I genuinely wanted to wear it.

Anouk™ | Vintage Knit Cardigan Sweater

★★★★★ 4.7 / 5 · 163 reviews

£90.00£39.95Save 55%

• Soft textured knit
• Relaxed open-front fit
• Easy everyday layering
• Vintage-inspired pattern

See the Anouk cardigan →

Currently reduced — an easy way to bring something different into your autumn wardrobe.